We have been having AC problems off and on this summer. Now it is time to evaluate the Sanctuary AC system and either repair or replace so the the system will be reliable. So for the next three weeks we will hold all three worship services in the Family Life Center. We are fortunate to have an alternative worship space. Come and chill out with us in the FLC!

Enjoy this First Church News.

This week in worship...

It doesn't seem possible but our students went back to school this week. Our service this Sunday will include a special blessing for all people who work in the education system (teachers, faculty and support staff) along with students of all ages.

There will also be a launch of all of the fall ministries for children and youth. And we will pass the chicken buckets for
Mission Panama. The team will leave on Saturday, August 25.

Dr. Will Cotton will be preaching at 9:40 and 11 am
. Rev. David Johnson will be preaching at the 8:30 am service.

Please join us in worship this weekend...Sunday at 8:30 am, 9:40 am, or 11 am. Due to air conditioning problems, all services will be in the Family Life Center.

Save the date...new Pastor's Bible Study coming soon!

Check out this new opportunity!

Our pastors will be leading a new Bible study on Sunday evenings from 5:30-7:00 pm in the sanctuary and narthex. The gathering will include a light supper. The topic for the first study is "A Fresh Approach to Revelation". This study will begin on Sunday, September 16. Registration is open now.

The study will coincide with our student ministry programming and child care will be available, so this is a new way for the whole family to be involved on Sunday evenings at First Church.

We're passing the chicken buckets for Mission Panama!It's a tradition at First Church to support our mission teams as they travel to spread the love of Jesus. Please prayerfully consider helping our 2018 team! All money collected will go to a local orphanage with which our missionaries have partnered. This orphanage is for children and infants from homes that experienced domestic or sexual violence. They have a building, but need more beds and they need to expand the facility, not to mention that they need to plant grass in the yard. Will you help us change these children's lives?

And don't forget to pick up your prayer bracelet on Sunday.
Make a small donation and take home a prayer bracelet to wear to remind you to pray for us each day! We'll be in the courtyard all morning.

The 24 member team leaves on Saturday, August 25. Thank you so much for your prayers and support!

Ministry Focus

Children's Ministry

Don't forget. August 19 is Preschool Promotion Sunday!

This Sunday is Promotion Sunday for all children currently in preschool and those entering kindergarten this fall. Your child may move up to a different pod and will definitely be meeting in a new room. There will be lists posted on the glass on the exterior of the pods. If you have not filled out a
2018-19 registration form, you can print and fill out before you come or they will be outside at a table with volunteers to assist you on Sunday morning. Please tell your child before you arrive that they will be in an exciting new classroom!

J-Team kickoff for children in grades 3-5 is on September 9 from 2 - 4 pm.

The kickoff event will be a drop-off event and we already have some parents planning our September meeting. Watch for details.

Parent meeting on August 26

We invite all parents of 3rd-5th graders to join us on August 26 at 11 am in Bldg. 5- 27 for a parent meeting. You will learn new information about our programming for this year and have the opportunity to sign up to host a meeting. Hope to see you there!

Student Ministry

We are starting our fall programming off with BLAST!

All middle school and high school students as well as their parents are invited to join us this Sunday, August 19. We will have food, inflatables, games and fun. There will be a short parents meeting during the event.

Adult Ministry

DISCIPLE I - Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study

Wednesday mornings, 9:30 am - 12 noon

Yes, it is a major commitment. Yes, you are busy. So, why are so many people encouraging you to sign up for Disciple 1? Here are comments from some of our members and facilitators.

"We ask challenging questions!"

"It fills in the blanks that don't get addressed in Sunday School and Church."

"It's not a lecture. It's an enjoyable discussion!"

"The Bible is hard to understand. This class really helps!"

"It's about the history of God's relationship with humanity, as told by the Bible."

"It fills in the blanks that don't get addressed in Sunday School and Church."

Here are some thoughts from some of our class facilitators/leaders:
Brad Thorne, Frank Gipson and James Lehrmann.

"The Disciples Program has given me a deeper understanding of my faith and the basis of my faith. You can't really love someone unless you know them. I feel the Disciples Program has allowed me to know my God much better."

Sign up now! We need a few more members in this Disciple 1 class.Click here to register online. Questions: Contact Rae Frenette, rae@fumc-rr.org or 512.255.3336.

Wednesday Women's Bible Study is back on September 5 with a new study by Lisa Harper, Believing Jesus. Click for details...

Tuesday Women's Bible Study starts on September 11 with a study of Stuck by Jennie Allen. Contact Denise Blomquist at mommystruck@gmail.com. Click for details...

A Matter of Balance Class to Begin September 11.

Do you have concerns about falling? Join us for a fun, informative class on managing falls and increasing your activity level. If you are 60 or older and are interested in improving your balance, flexibility and strength and learning to reduce your fall risks at home and view falls as controllable, register for this free 8 - week class. Tuesday mornings at 10 am beginning September 11. Click here to register...

More from Adult Ministry...

The Wesleyan Way...a Faith that Matters. Current study for Paths to Postivie Living Sunday school class, 9:40 am, Bldg. 5-136. Click for details...

Worship Arts

Sign up today! Kids of the Kingdom Chimes is for children entering 3rd-5th grades who would like to ring hand chimes. Students will learn rhythm, reading, and ringing. Playing hand chimes is a wonderful opportunity for your child to learn to read music and ring. No experience is necessary. We will play in church 1-2 times per semester and a recital at the end of each semester.

In the Alleluia Chorus our elementary students learn the skills of singing and music reading while they sing anthems of their own as well as join with the Choral Union in joint choral presentations. These early experiences create wonderful memories of joyful musical events linked with the worship of God-thus building the foundation for a walk with Christ.

Rehearsals: Sunday morning during the 11 am service. Children will join their parents in worship until just before the sermon (around 11:40 am) and then go to Bldg. 5-234 for rehearsal until 12:15 pm.

Youth Choir is open to all youth from 6th-12th grades, giving our students the opportunity to lead worship and minister to the body of Christ through the gift of music. The ensemble will sing a variety of musical styles during morning worship services every 4-6 weeks and at special events. Our first rehearsal will be on Sunday, September 9.

Rehearsals will be held in the South Suite from 4:30 - 5:30 pm on Sunday evenings, prior to Youth Group.

The mornings when we sing in worship, we will use the time between the Sanctuary services to rehearse, replacing that evenings' rehearsal.
All dates are in line with the Youth Ministry schedule.

If you'd like to be a part of this group or have questions, please contact Michael Rosensteel, Director of Music, michael@fumc-rr.org or 512.255.3336 ext. 140.

A ministry called
Campus Renewal reports the 70% of Christian teens are choosing to no longer follow Jesus after their first year of college. That is a pretty scary statistic. So often, these teens are leaving the church that they grew up in without making any connection with a new church. Here at First Church, we have a program called the
Church Mouse program. Through this program, members of the congregation get the opportunity to be a small connection between a college student and their home church. Through prayer, cards and the occasional care package, adopted students get a reminder that someone here at First Church is thinking of them. It is a great way to do our part in combating this crazy statistic and loving on our young adults.

If you would like to adopt a college student, be on the look out!
Adoption day is August 26, 2018.

2:00 pm - Memorial Service for Rev. Jack Heacock followed by reception in Bldg. 3/FLC

There is always a lot going on at First Church. Visit the
website, find us on Facebook or Twitter, and check the Church Calendar so you don't miss out!

Blessings,

Betty Robertson

Communications

First United Methodist Church Round Rock

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